When you walk on the land of our Nation, you feel the history whether you want to or not. The clouds turn into symbols of Wolves and Orcas. Your heartbeat slows down and stars whisper legends to curious ears. – Darlene Gait
“Night Magic” (Wolf and Orca Whale)
aa siiʔém̓ nə sčéləčeʔ, hay̓ šxʷ q̓ə kʷə n̓sʔənʔe téčəl
Oh Honoured Relatives, Thank You for Coming
For members of the community, we have a members area where you can log in to see current events, news, and programs for community members. If you are looking to get in touch with us, please contact us, or you can learn more about our team. To learn more about our community and our history, read through this home page and check out the Xʷsepsəm people section of this site.
Respect… and accept us for who we are
“Let us be who we are. Let us get that fish out there. Let us get that deer and those ducks. Because it’s a part of us. We have laws that govern our relationship to the land, the water, and the resources.
We work to reach our young people so that they know how to use those mountains; how to use that beach again. Listen to the birds. Listen to the water. Listen to the winds. They’ve all got something for all of us, each and every one of us.
Take care of the land, water and resources, and they will take care of you.”
Late Hereditary Chief Seenupin,
Andy Thomas
Who We Are
Members of the Esquimalt Nation belong to the Lekwungen peoples. Our traditional name is Xʷsepsəm, and our territory is centred around what is now the City of Victoria. Our sister nations include Teechəmicə (Metchosin), Xʷimeɬəɬ (Colwood/Langford), Sxʷeŋxʷəŋ (James Bay), Čilqəweč (Oak Bay), Čəqʷəwniin (Cadborough Bay), Cəliʔɬčə (Mount Douglas to Elk and Beaver Lakes), and Sqəŋinəs (Discovery Island), many of which are now collectively known as Songhees.
We share one language—Lekwungen—along with a common culture and strong family ties. It is closely related to SENĆOŦEN (Saanich), Samish, Lummi, and Ts’ou-ke (Sooke), with some words and pronunciations reflecting connections to our Klallam relatives in Washington State.
Before colonial borders and laws restricted us, we travelled widely across southern Vancouver Island, the Salish Sea, and up the Fraser River. We hunted deer, elk, and seal, and relied heavily on the sea, using reefnet (sx̣ʷaləʔ) technology to harvest salmon. Our oral histories and place names continue to reflect our deep and ongoing relationship with these lands and waters.
The Sacred Trust
The Sacred Trust has been transmitted through oral teachings. These teachings are usually contained in the stories of the nation and they articulate a set of natural laws. It is the Sacred Trust, the teachings and the laws that determines the relationships between the land, water and resources, the community and the spiritual path.
Our mission is to build a legacy for present and future generations of Esquimalt Nation members by ensuring our work is rooted in the teachings and natural laws that flow from the Sacred Trust. We will promote and advance holistic health, self-sufficiency and safety of Esquimalt Nation members by offering meaningful programs and services, and working with our partners for mutually beneficial goals.
News & announcements
This is where we share updates, announcements, and stories from the Nation. You’ll find community news, upcoming initiatives, and moments worth marking from the past, present, and future.
Anchorages Threaten Local Fishing Bank
Rising from the seafloor to within 15 meters of the surface, Constance Bank has provided the Lekwungen People with marine foods that have sustained them for thousands of years.
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